Anthony Maiani To Join Pioneers
WCHA Blog & Chris Heisenberg are reporting that DU has received a last minute commitment for next season from Anthony Maiani. He is from Shelby Township, Michigan and played the last two seasons for the Sioux City Musketeers. He is the youngest player in DU's 2007 Recruiting Class at 18 years 5 months.Maiani is descibed as a "nifty playmaker," had 16 goals and 32 assists for the Musketeers last season. He was tied for the team lead in +/- with +20 (11th in the USHL tied with fellow DU recruit Jesse Martin).
Redline Report had this to say about Maiani when he tried out for the USNDP in 2005:
"Anthony Maiani/LC - Honeybaked. 5-9/165. 2/24/89. Tiny, but has an excellent release. Scored a beauty with snap shot going against the grain. Had trouble with physical play. Very skilled, but plays too much on the perimeter."
DU's 2007 Recruiting Class
Lars Paulgaard - G So. Minnesota (NAHL)
Anthony Maiani - LW Sioux City (USHL) 5'9" 160 2/24/89
Jon Cook - D Camrose (AJHL) 6'1 195 4-8-86
Chris Nutini - D Wichita Falls (NAHL) 6'1 205 9-12-87
Steve Cunningham - LW Burnaby (BCHL) 6'1 195 3-28-86
Dusty Jackson - LW So. Minnesota (NAHL) 6'3 195 6-20-86
Tyler Bozak - RC Victoria (BCHL) 6' 175 3-19-86
Marc Cheverie - G Nanaimo (BCHL) 6'2 195 2-22-87
Jesse Martin - RC Tri-City (USHL) 5'10 170 9-7-88
Kyle Ostrow - LC Nanaimo (BCHL) 5'9 160 9-5-87
9 comments:
Looks like a nice late add for the Pios. Usually guys who commit later in the summer tend to be older, but Maiani is only 18, which is much younger than most DU recruits for 2007.
I noticed that as well. Perhaps Maiani was juggling offers from a couple of schools who wanted him to enroll in 2008.
Gwoz might have had schollie dollars left over from Gregoire bailing, Lee deferring until 2008 or if another player wasn't returning for 07-08 (gulp1).
If thats the case and Gwoz & Miller swooped in a year early to pick up Maiani, its similiar to the modus operandi used in the old days before DU won the championships.
These interesting comments were posted about Anthony at USCHO.com by "Observer-85."
"I got to watch Maiani at Sioux City last year often (my son played with him). Anthony was a 2nd or 3rd line player depending on the game (1st line was DeSimone (UNH), Pacioretty (Michigan) and Martin (Neb-Omaha). Fast, very skilled and goes one speed - all out, all the time. Brother Dominic is a senior at Ohio State. He was looked at by several schools, but most wanted him for 2008. He already has 2 years of USHL experience, so he should do well with no adjustment period. He will be around for 4 years and you will be glad to have him. I though he would end up with a Michigan school being from Michigan but I am happy for him to be in Denver."
rumor has it according to facebook... Keith seabrook is going to the WHL as per his wall. Maini commitment makes me think a forward might be leaving... is Pauko getting renewed late summer interest from Edmonton?
2nd time today I've heard this...ouch if true.
Seabrook leaving would be a huge blow for DU's defense.
They are still trying to right the ship from TJ Fast's early departure, and clearly, John Lee isn't ready yet.
you are getting a quality player in Maiani. He is an excellent puck handler and like the little blurb said, excellent release on his shot.
Good luck Anthony.
As a coach who has coached Anthony in his earlier youth years you are not only getting a very skilled player but, getting one heck of a great kid. He will not do anything to jepordize Denver on or off the ice. In fact he is the type of player most coaches dream about. First in drills, first on the ice and last off the ice. I wish him nothing but the best of luck.
Coach Mike,
Thanks for the report on Anthony. Its great to hear so many positive things about a player before he even steps on campus.
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